Democrats are afraid of issue

That guns don't kill people, crazy people with easy access to guns do.

That talk radio will not change its aggressive tone.

That over-the-top political rhetoric isn't helpful.

That putting political opponents in crosshairs on campaign materials isn't helpful either.

That incivility will quickly return, and the Republicans' "jobs killing" health care repeal stunt will be the catalyst.

That Barack Obama is the greatest orator of our time.

That Barack Obama will not address gun control.

That Sarah Palin is no match for Barack Obama.

That even Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy's modest bill to ban the type of ammunition clips used by Loughner will go nowhere.

That legislation being proposed by other members of Congress seem more concerned with protecting themselves than protecting us.

That these legislators didn't seem worried about the proximity of gun toters to federal officials when people with sidearms were showing up at candidate Obama's campaign rallies in 2008.

That no type of gun control legislation, no matter how much sense it makes, will come out of the Tucson massacre.

That the NRA owns the Republican Party.

That the NRA now owns the Democratic Party, too.

That when it comes to gun control, e.e. cummings was spot on when he wrote: "A politician is an ass upon which everyone has sat except a man."

That there is no practical reason for anyone to own an assault rifle, or a clip that holds 33 rounds.

That the assault rifle ban, which was not renewed in 2004, will not be reconsidered.

That the answer to Tucson will not be fewer guns, but more guns.

That the absolute worst possible message a member of Congress can send in the wake of the shooting is to announce he will now be carrying a gun to public forums.

That one of those congressman, Democrat Heath Shuler of North Carolina, was always more arm than brains when he played quarterback for the Redskins.

That Tucson will fade, as did Columbine, Virginia Tech, Hartford Distributors and all the others.

That this will happen again, and again, and again.

That while we cannot rely on Congress to deal with this issue, Connecticut legislators should do everything within their power to see that our state has the smartest and toughest gun laws in the country.

Read Jim Shea's blog at http://www.courant.com/tooshea, friend him at http://www.facebook.com/TooSheaFans and watch his television commentary Fridays on the Fox CT News at Ten.